Medics for most of the day….

I was looking forward to the day. John was home, and all was right with the world. Other than the fact that we were going to nip over to Solihull Hospital this afternoon for John to have a little top-up of the anti-fungal medication, there was nothing really on the horizon.

I hopped out of bed early to allow the G-Plan man in to have a look at the armchair that John sits in. The arm of the chair is very indented and, although a G-Plan man came to inspect it before, the problem has not been resolved. Inspection complete, the G-Plan man said he’d order a new piece of foam for inside the arm of the chair, so I was happy.

Clang! The bubble burst as the phone went. “Hello, Anne. It’s only Mandy from Michael Blanning – your Mum isn’t feeling very well…..” It transpired that Mum wasn’t able to speak. Mandy had phoned the doctor and not got much joy from them so had phoned 999. When I arrived, the paramedics were there and the crisis was diminishing. Mum was now able to speak and, although a little bit confused, she managed to mobilise (Ha! Medics ‘speak’….walk, to you and me) and get to the bathroom.

The upshot was that the paramedics thought that Mum may have had a TIA but, as the situation was now resolved, there was no need for acute treatment at hospital. The GP would phone me tomorrow. And off they went.

I came home, prepped some lunch and then we clambered in the car to take John over to Solihull for his treatment. “The treatment lasts an hour,” he said, as he made his way into the haematology unit. “Ok, I’ll just wait in the car,” I replied, and settled down with my book.

Another phone call. “Hello, Anne. It’s only Mandy from Michael Blanning – your Mum isn’t feeling very well….” With regret, I told her, I am at the hospital and I can’t get over just now. Apparently, there wasn’t any joy from the GP again, so…….. “I’ve called 999.” Right, keep me posted.

The paramedic, James, phoned me. Is your Mum usually confused? Does she recognise people in the photographs she’s got dotted around? Does she normally remember things? Has she had an official diagnosis of dementia? Oh, and by the way, has she got a ‘ReSPECT’ form so we know her wishes…….

The paramedics again decided she wasn’t priority to take across to the hospital, so left her at home – with an instruction for me to visit her this evening….. right, OK – got nothing else to do…..

John emerged from the treatment room two hours after he went in. “Well, it took her half an hour to get a cannular in – had three goes in the back of my left hand – and then it took her half an hour to take the canular out and finalise the treatment.” Ah. That’ll just be the two hours as standard for this treatment then, will it? With a repeat again tomorrow, and the next day…… “How was your afternoon?” he wondered. I hardly knew what to tell him really.

Once we were home, John fell into a feeling of despair. The anti-fungal treatment that he’d been told was a five-day series when he was in hospital, now turns out to be another thirteen days. Hecky thump – that boots out any plans for the next fortnight then, doesn’t it? No wonder he’s feeling fed up.

We ate our evening meal, but with a forced cheerfulness that neither of us were feeling, and an underlying current of irritation between us. Oh, Lordy, Lordy – this isn’t what we hoped for just now. Maybe we’ll feel better tomorrow. Please?

In the meantime, the COVID situation seems to still be under a bit more control with the figures still stable.

• 4,654 people tested positive for the virus today
• 23 people died with the virus in the last 24 hours
• 9 people died in hospitals with the virus on 27 & 28 March
• And it’s Day 1 of the lifting of Lockdown 3; Day 371 since Lockdown 1; Day 376 since our self-imposed Lockdown 1

Take care everyone. God bless. Am off to tuck me Mum into bed now.